Combating racism

What can be done to combat racism? Can a racist be shown the error of their ways or are some beyond seeing past their race-hatred?

Posted
December 12, 2005 8:49 AM

LATEST COMMENTS

Some say that to combat these rioters that we must speak to their community leaders. If these people were community minded they wouldn't be acting like the thugs they are. Surely we should be simply treating the issue as a matter of thug against thug. Let's not make out it has anything to do with normal communities.

Posted by: Tony Meacham on December 12, 2005 9:10 AM

What an absolute bloody disgrace. Hang your heads in shame all of the youth and men and women involved in the shenanigans in Cronulla on Sunday afternoon. What was it you thought you could achieve by acting the way that you did? Well congratulations, Cronulla has gone down in Australian history, down being the operative word. Two wrongs don’t make a right. Grow up, show some leadership!

Posted by: mark on December 12, 2005 9:11 AM

Retaliation will not only never solve problems, but will only make things worse (see the Israeli - Palestinian conflict as an example). It should be a collaboration of effort by Community leaders from both sides, police, and educational efforts to stem the tide

Posted by: lilon on December 12, 2005 9:11 AM

I believe Cronulla locals had some valid complaints about the behaviour of lebanese lads at the beach. The Japanese surfers at Manly prove it's possible for different nationalities to share pastimes with race being a non-issue and the experience drawing the 2 closer together. Unfortunately gripes about gang abuse and disrespect to women have now been submerged under a tide of even greater stupidity....I'm going to leave the Shire Frodo, and I'm never coming back.

Posted by: John Adams on December 12, 2005 9:12 AM

Education is the only way to combat racism.

Posted by: Scott on December 12, 2005 9:12 AM

Disgraceful un-Australian behaviour.

Posted by: disgusted Sydney sider on December 12, 2005 9:13 AM

I suspect that a large percentage of the "racial" violence yesterday would be more accurately labelled "alcohol-fuelled" violence. The majority of footage and images from the scene depicted drunks not racists.

Posted by: Sherie on December 12, 2005 9:13 AM

Yesterday I was confined to my home in Cronulla to due fear of going outside and facing the drunken fools singing Waltzing Matilda (previously sung to represent being a proud australian, now just reminds me that sadly, racism is still prevalent).

Today, I was scared to go to Woolooware train station due to fear of being a victim of retaliation.

What country are we living in again??

Posted by: Claire on December 12, 2005 9:14 AM

I wonder if those idiots who organised what happen yesterday, will fall under the new anti-terror laws? Surely they have broken sedition laws, but all we hear is racial-vilification. Just goes to show that sedition is only exclusive to Muslims.

Racism comes from ignorance, very often fuelled by parental prejudices. If those who think they are better than another were to travel, they'd be helping themselves and the rest of us.

Posted by: Jim Ashenden on December 12, 2005 9:14 AM

Hi,

This is a disgrace to all lebanese people. I am a lebanese Christian who unfortunatly am getting blamed for the actions of these people who go and shame all the lebanese. Let me say that these are muslim and not christian and it is us christian lebs that pay the price. This is australia's fault however as our foriegn policy doesnt screen entrants enough and doesnt put them through any integration programs. What is being done in these islamic schools to address this issue? who is overlooking arabic radio and ensuring that hatred isnt being voiced. These things need to be done. Australians do need to reclaim their streets from these thugs. I say this as an Australian who was born in lebanon.

Posted by: georges on December 12, 2005 9:15 AM

I don't think this is purely a race thing, but if the media report it as such it will be.
Shame media shame.

Posted by: dave on December 12, 2005 9:15 AM

Today i am ashamed to call myself australian. I am appaulled by the events overnight. The racial tension that has been festering away between these two groups of people is just an excuse for what i term as blantant cowardly acts of violence against each other.
The true picture of the UGLY australian male came to the front yesterday and will long be remembered for some time to come.
"Racism sees no colour." and racism hurts everyone.
At this time of the year when we as a society should be preparing ourselves for a time of family and friends; I am distreesed by the events and that our children some lead by their parents on both sides of the divide can do this to one another.
I can only appeal to you all that we need to stem the violence and stem the tide that seems to be hurtling head on to us all.
God Bless Us ALL.

Posted by: peter costigan on December 12, 2005 9:16 AM

Where do the racist views come from? I'd like to know what manifests within people the need to hate or have anger towards people based on colour of skin/accent of voice/religious basis? It makes no sense to me that in this day and age, we still feel some types of people are worth less than ourselves because of these factors. Do these people even feel that? Or are they just angry based on no particular reason. Its absolutely shocking to me. Maybe some common sense could be instilled in these people. We need to make them question to reasoning behind their actions. Its just absolute non sensical action. I'm an Australian, but I dont feel this makes an inkling of difference. I dont see why people care about it. Carry around aggression and negative emotions based on absurd reasons. Maybe we should ask these people why they are angry enough to make violent outbursts like these? Literally, what are the reasons? I'm sure they'll come up with no valid reasons. so why the violence? Do we really want this to go further? Innocent people will be hurt. Everyone is guilty, so maybe all should stop, take a look at their actions, understand there is no valid grounds or basis for it, and get the hell over it.

Posted by: P Messenger on December 12, 2005 9:16 AM

A racist, it seems to me, doesn't want to be shown the error of their ways.
The fights my kids tell me about in our suburb have nothing to do with race, they are just boys being boys and wanting to be top dog.
From what I've heard about, Aussies just like a good fight and will use any excuse to do what they did yesterday. Give an Australian a cause and they're out there fighting for it. Of course when it comes to peaceful demonstrations, this is great, but yesterday was a disgrace to this nation.

Posted by: angela on December 12, 2005 9:17 AM

As big Derryn would say "shame, shame, shame" Fancy these dills calling themselves Australian & then behaving like that. Sitting in the sun, dowing beer all day, then bashing people & hurling abuse at the Police & Co. Grow up!!

Posted by: Jim-Bob on December 12, 2005 9:17 AM

Although i am fed up with the lebonese behaviour that has been going on for quite some time now, yesterday should not have happened. It will only give the lebonese more excuse to act up, as in their minds they will only see the offensive towards them and not the cause of the initial offence.
It really saddens me to see the targetting of random lebonese, i'm sure the most of the ones targetted yesterday would have been peaceful people. I thought australians were smarter than this.

Posted by: Toby on December 12, 2005 9:18 AM

You would think now we are in the year 2005, people would be more accepting of each other regardless of race, colour or sex. It is bad enough there are war's happening overseas. Why should we have war in our country? It is such a beautiful country lets not ruin it with hatred and racism.

Posted by: Nikita on December 12, 2005 9:18 AM

I never thought i would have seen the day people would be scared to live in Australia - If thats what you were trying to achieve Congratulations..

Posted by: A Laughlin on December 12, 2005 9:18 AM

Leaders set the example for the rest of a group.

If our leaders condone and promote racism, as John Howard does, people will feel entitled to behave in a racist way.

It's the same as any negative human emotion - if it's frowned upon (or punished), a person will contrive to not behabave badly.

ps
how many riots have we had since john howard came into power? Let me name a few:
Palm Island
Redfern
Macquarie Fields
Cronulla

Posted by: chrissie on December 12, 2005 9:19 AM

As a Cronulla local, I want to express my disgust at what happened. Some of the troublemakers were from outside the area but many were homegrown. I also want to commend the Police and Ambulance service personnel for their courage and commitment to duty.

The problems at Cronulla and elsewhere show that Australia has a long way to go to before we can call ourselves a tolerant society. The Australian flag was defiled by idiots.

Posted by: andrew on December 12, 2005 9:19 AM

I grew up in the shire, and have always been ashamed of its racism. I have moved out, and will never return to this hellhole. They call it God's country, yesterday showed that it is not God's country it is hell on earth. Memo people of the shire, you think you are the best place on earth? Guess what, no one even knows where the Shire even is. You are a disgrace, I throw in my Shire membership beginning now!

Posted by: steve on December 12, 2005 9:19 AM

Combatting racism takes time. However preventing the incitement of racism can be done overnight by stopping the irresponsible media from giving voice to extreme minorities. The newspapers and talk radio shows that published and promoted the SMS messages must accept a great deal of the blame for the events that unfolded. Through their culturally inept reporting, they have ensured that they had plenty of news to report this morning.

Posted by: BruceR on December 12, 2005 9:19 AM

We need to be clear here, Sunday's violence as ugly as it was, was not a knee jerk reaction to the bashing of a couple of lifeguards. It was the result of years of sustained anti-social behaviour by groups of youths of Middle-Eastern Islamic background. Before Australia is asked to re-examine itself yet again, it is this minority group which should be pulled into line immediately. Respect for all Australians or be thrown in jail.

Posted by: Matt on December 12, 2005 9:20 AM

Do what they do in the Middle East...bring in the army. Post a solider on every corner, any rioting that occus, have the army shoot in the air. It all sounds abit over the top, but downtown Cronulla looked like war torn Iraq!

Posted by: Christine on December 12, 2005 9:20 AM

We need to stop allowing ethnic communities to segregate. We are creating ghettos. These communities associate themselves with their ethnicity rather than their nationality - Australian. Multiculturalism is not working. What we need is integration.

Posted by: Daniela on December 12, 2005 9:20 AM

This has been brewing for years , i can say for sure we have only seen the start of this now and putting "opinions" on a newspaper isnt gonna help, we are either part of the solution or part of the problem

Posted by: Gav on December 12, 2005 9:21 AM

This problem will never be solved whilst the Premier and others bury their collective heads in the sand of political correctness.

They won't even identify by nationality or religious affiliation the thugs who are making the beaches and parks of Cronulla unsafe for Australians.

Agreed, it went too far yesterday thanks in part to the usual rent-a-mob that turn up to these events. But the vast majority of the 5000 were ordinary Aussies who want their suburb back. Its not as if they go into Lebanese suburbs and terrorise THEIR locals, is it.

How about getting your priorities right, Mr Premier and addressing the issue of the thugs who started this.

Posted by: Tony Robinson on December 12, 2005 9:21 AM

What's more important now is that what will happen as a result of this racial outburst, will we be looking at another riot this weekend with more even numbers? Or can the Government and Police put a stop to this before it escelates into something beyond its control.

Posted by: Debs on December 12, 2005 9:21 AM

Violence isn't a question of skin colour, religion, or suburb. It is a question of the heart. Every person in this country needs to take a lesson from the violence we see taking place all over the world, appreciate where we live, eliminate blame, and then shake hands before we lead a force of hatred that will never cease.

Posted by: Juls on December 12, 2005 9:22 AM

As a Lebanese Australian, i am embarrassed in the way these Australians attacked our Police Officers and our parademics. These innocent people are trying to do their job, if these people dont want to respect our volunteers they can to go home to England.

Both sides are as much to blame.

Posted by: Joe on December 12, 2005 9:22 AM

It is always an easy way to label it racism. But where there is the consequence like this, there must be a cause.

People in Cronulla must have put up with the real mob for a long time. And this is just the result of saying "no". I don't necessarily agree with the violent behanviour, but I don't blame them either.

Posted by: Grace Niu on December 12, 2005 9:23 AM

These weren't a bunch of drunken yobs..

This was an organised racist parade with an alarming number of willing participants... A parade that could have easily taken place in America's deep south half a century ago...

Shame!

Posted by: John on December 12, 2005 9:24 AM

I have recently become an Australian citizen, and I must say I could not imagine Australians being associated with racism. People should have some courage and stand up against those who threaten our national unity. Go out, go to the Lebanese restaurants, be friendly on the streets. Don't let the hatred destroy our lifestyle.

Posted by: Anna on December 12, 2005 9:25 AM

The actions yesterday should have been avoided by actually policing the problem a long time ago. Of course it's too late for that.

As one of the Shire surfie dudes said: it's not about race; it's about manners. If a white gang had made a persistent nuisance of themselves, and assaulted a lifeguard, they would have got the same treatment.

I don't generally condone people taking the law into their own hands, but if the law doesn't act, that's what will happen. It wasn't a nice day for Australia, but it's not a setback for race relations.

Posted by: Gavin on December 12, 2005 9:25 AM

This should have been nipped in the bud years ago. It should never have got this far. This is an abject failure by the government and the police.

Posted by: Dan on December 12, 2005 9:25 AM

I am 26 years old and after growing up in the Sutherland Shire and spending most of my time at Cronulla beach I can remember countless occasions where I was tormented and set upon by gangs and individuals. But what I have seen over the weekend makes me sick. Cronulla needs to rise above gang violence and stand strong in PEACEFUL protest- not reduce it to yobbo barbarism. Gangs stay away- Yobbos grow up.

Posted by: Andrew Moffitt on December 12, 2005 9:26 AM

It just proves how thin that veneer of 'multicultural' Australia really is? Absolutely appalling but sadly, also expected in such a right-wing, conservative and culturally insensitive country.

Posted by: Foreigner on December 12, 2005 9:28 AM

Combat racism?? How about acknowledging that many Australians (Anglo/European backgrounds) are racist. Racist against Asians, blacks, Arabs. Racist against most everything. This "frustration" is just an excuse to show how racist many Australians really are. Why do you think Pauline Hanson was so popular. Does anyone remember this country had a white Australia policy going back as early as the 1960s??? Western civilisation throughout history has shown it is racist through it colonisation, brutality and slaughtering of millions of peoples thourhgout the world. It continues todayu through subtler means. So as a start this country should acknowledge the history of its brutal racist ways and also acknowledge that this country draw its strength from multiculturalism - this country would still be stuck in the 18th century were it not for multiculturalism!!

Posted by: Rod on December 12, 2005 9:29 AM

If the police had been doing their job BEFORE Sunday, we would not be where we are now.

If so much of this is un-australian, is it "australian" to lay down and let gangs of thugs terrorism the beachers?

Posted by: Jon on December 12, 2005 9:30 AM

Funny how this so called 'racism' only extends to one group. Why is that ? Because nothing is being done about the behaviour of that group and people have finally had enough. Let's stop hiding behind political correctness.

Posted by: nick on December 12, 2005 9:30 AM

Regardless of religion, these people wanted to hurt " wogs " and "Lebs". People should stop bringing religion into it. I am as australian as they come and i was catholic at birth but have since choosen Islam.... Let me tell you neither side is innocent.... I have been on both sides of the fence and alot of Australian parents have the traditional hate of "Wogs" and drum it into there kids.... Not happy

Posted by: Rebecca on December 12, 2005 9:31 AM

I believe that for some people racism is so deeply ingrained, perhaps from childhood or simply the surroundings they grew up in, that it may well be a lost cause trying to change their views. This is not however to say that we shouldn't address this most important of issues.

The first way of combatting any kind of racism is to look at its roots - this is not to say that racism is ever justified, however just as a doctor treats the disease rather than the symptoms, we must look at why this is happening before we can even have the slightest idea of what to do about it.

The second thing we must do is acknowledge, once and for all, that it is not only white Anglo Australians who are racist. As a former resident of the Bankstown district, it was infuriating to witness what were clearly racial tensions on all sides of the equation and yet be shouted down with accusations of bigotry and racism for so much as suggesting that we were sitting on a time bomb by not addressing such tensions.

While the scenes at Cronulla are nothing short of horrifying and disgusting, and in no way justifiable, it is absolutely imperative that the problems are looked at honestly and openly, and that all sides involved feel that they are allowed a voice. I fear that things will only get worse if the government and authorities continue to live in denial about the reality of the situation.

Posted by: Kathy on December 12, 2005 9:31 AM

You'll notice John Howard (and Kim Beazley) are strangely silent at the moment.

John Howard in particular is noteworthy of comment. When Pauline Hanson made her maiden speech he stayed quiet.

He was also happy to let us think that asylum seekers throw their children overboard, and is also happy to remain silent while talkback radio listeners express their racist views.

Let's face it, for a long time now the coalition has been happy to mine the rich vein of racist sentiment to stay in power ("dog whistling" it's called). They're also smart enough to let others do their dirty work for them.

It is now time for the leadership of this country to demonstrate exactly that - leadership - and show what it really means to be Australian, and speak out against racism and racist attitudes.

"When good men do nothing evil abounds"

Posted by: george on December 12, 2005 9:31 AM

How disgusting that the Aussies behave in this manner? I thought Australia was a safe and peaceful country...now it's come to this? I think the Aussies that initiate yesterday's riots show their exact origins - the convicts that first arrived here! What's tomorrow's plans Aussies? Attack all Asians??

Shame on you people! There is a solution to every problem but certainly not through violence!!! Wake up Australia - don't end up like the rest of the world that has never-ending racism problems - once started it can go on for years and this is not what Australia stands for! Australia is the lucky country, remember??

Posted by: Keshi on December 12, 2005 9:32 AM

Absolutely disgusted by what happened yesterday. No easy solution - problem is how exactly do you stop people being complete morons?

Posted by: Fi on December 12, 2005 9:33 AM

I think that the violence was escalated yesterday by a minority which overshadowed the majority.

People are sick of gangs of youths (be they Leb, Asian, Islander etc). Many youths of today are terrified to walk the streets of their own neighbourhoods for fear of being set upon by gangs - which in most cases involves weapons.

Everyone has the right to enjoy Australia and its gifts to the fullest. The police need to do more about dispersing the gangs around all areas so that we can all live in peace.

Posted by: Mel on December 12, 2005 9:33 AM

This whole "anti Muslim" sentiment has been created by a long series of media beat ups primarily from commercial television programs such as "today tonight". So on one hand the media create the initial animosity towards a certain minority (no doubt helped along by government rhetoric) and then they report on the "disgraceful actions" of a segment of our community who was stupid enough to listen to them.

If the media feel that there is so little news worth reporting that they need to create it, then why not start looking at more important stories such as why David Hicks is still in prison, five years on, without any charges being laid?

Posted by: Dominic Cioccarelli on December 12, 2005 9:34 AM

The problem is Bullies. You only need one and the rest follow.

The way we deal with bullies when they are growing up is a joke. This softly softly, no blame method that is used give bullies power and protection.

Its not against the law to bully and it's not against the law to discriminate because of malice or hate!!!

Until we make bullying and discrimination that is based on malice and hate against the law, regardless of whether it is to do with race or not, nothing will change as these people are protected and they know it.

We live in the Shire and my children are of Lebanese background and I am scared. Two of my children are on Distance Education because they are too scared to attend school because of the level of bullying and aggression. If things do not change its only going to get worse.

Posted by: Jolanda on December 12, 2005 9:35 AM

I heard one of those young hoodlums at Cronulla justify their thuggery on the grounds that their forefathers fought for this land.
In truth, their forefathers fought against the very facist-style behaviours exhibited by these thugs yesterday. They would be turning in their graves. Wake up to yourselves: your behaviour is no better (in fact, most would see it as a lot worse) than that you are condemning from the so-called Lebanese gangs.

Posted by: mark on December 12, 2005 9:36 AM

An Eye for an eye and we'll all go blind - The Mahatma

Posted by: Ed on December 12, 2005 9:37 AM

it was going to happen one day , and it finally happened. the leb gangs need a wake up call and so do the cops and all government bodies.
these gangs have hurt to many people and we australian are sick of it.

Posted by: sarah on December 12, 2005 9:37 AM

Scratch the surface of a minority and you will find prejudice, hate and a desire to vent them. Unfortunately some politicians and talk back jocks have been sharpening their nails in the past few years.

Posted by: Mark Slater on December 12, 2005 9:37 AM

I am frightened and disheartened by all this violence. I am an immigrant to Australia and love it here and feel saddened that people behave this way.

Posted by: SE on December 12, 2005 9:38 AM

One thing we could do to stop racism is to calm down a bit on the one-eyed patriotism that rules the current political and social landscape. I have long held concerns over the use of predominantly anglo-based historical events as a means to forge national identity. From John Howard, to the framing of sporting events, the mainstream media at large and right on down to the lowly shock jocks, there is an unfair focus on "Australianness" as expressed through the Anzacs, waving the flag and singing Waltzing Matilda. Yes, we can be proud as a nation, but can we simmer down a bit and perhaps look at other good points in our multicultural history that made Australia what it is today? Otherwise you get what happened yesterday: yobs chasing women with hajibs while singing Advance Australia Fair. More like Advance Australia's shame.

Posted by: Mem on December 12, 2005 9:38 AM

What shame I felt to watch the news and read the paper this morning. I had to pinch myself to ensure I was still in Australia - a society which values cultural diversity and tolerance.

Posted by: Adam on December 12, 2005 9:39 AM

The media (and I include the SMH here) really helped to enflame this whole ugly mess. Sensationalising, over reporting and sort of heightening anticipation leading up to the weekend's gut-churning, xenophobic violence made it all way worse than it might have otherwise been. That said, most of the violent, drunken boneheads I saw on the news wouldn't read too well, would they? Cronulla. God's country it ain't.

Posted by: Jimmy on December 12, 2005 9:39 AM

Joe, Go home to England???? Right....

There is no question..yesterday was a disgrace.
How to prevent it?
WAKE UP THE POLICE AND THE GOVERNMENT. This is what happens when you are in denial or choose to ignore a problem. I have said for years that this would happen one day. I am a tolerant, peace loving individual, but for years have watched or been the brunt of groups of young middle eastern men intimidating and assaulting people from Darling Harbour to Cronulla. It's a problem that the police are too scared to tackle...and this is the unfortunate result. People..redneck or otherwise..can only take so much. I can't believe people are surprised....

Posted by: Dave on December 12, 2005 9:40 AM

As an Aussie who currently lives in the UK I am shocked and dismayed that this has happen though I do not think that this was a knee jerk reaction to the bashing of a couple of lifeguards. This is the culmination of years of sustained anti-social behaviour by groups of youths of Middle-Eastern Islamic background.
I see the same thing happening here in the UK where small groups of ethnic minorities isolate themselves and do not wish to engage in the wider community, but are willing to attack the values and culture of the country they live in, yet want all the benefits and priviledges that the country can provide.Here in London this has culminated in bombings and loss of life.
Australian citizenship is for all those who wish to live under its protection, freedoms, priviledges and responsibilities.
Before Australia is asked to re-examine itself yet again, it is the minority groups who do not wish to integrate that should be pulled into line immediately. Respect for all Australians (regardless of colour, creed or belief) or be thrown in jail.

Posted by: P Williams on December 12, 2005 9:40 AM

These people desecrated the Australian flag yesterday by wearing it on their backs whilst chasing innocent victims down the street just because they have a middle eastern appearance.

If they want a proper flag, i could find them a confederate flag and some hoods to go with it.

They call themselves Australians? An absolutely disgrace.

Posted by: Keith on December 12, 2005 9:40 AM

Unfortunately, this was not dealt with by police and Iemma correctly. This WILL spiral out of control. But lets not forget, many of the "middle eastern appearance" people targeted were innocent. However, this does not take away from the recent intimidation, abuse and simple lack of respect displayed by the groups of "middle eastern appearance" people. Im sure they are finding it difficult to be victims for a change. Funny - never heard anything about the victims from their abuse.

Posted by: Greg on December 12, 2005 9:41 AM

As open minded as I have previously been to these scenarios, something is out of place within these communities. Though feeling strongly that the media has played a big hand in fuelling the incidents over the weekend, it is also timely that we stop hiding behind the banner of successful multiculturalism and admit that we have a problem with a specific ethnic minority based predominately in South Western Sydney. I have a number of friends who are from this region and who are of this ethnic class who are as outraged as the next about the weekends behaviour, so in admitting the issues at hand we must also remember that this is not a behaviour excepted from within their community. I am not aware of these problems adversely affecting the activities of young men from say Italian, Greek or other immigrant communities within Australia (of which their numbers are plenty)... It is time that we stood up and admitted without fear of retribution that the culture from which these young men are spawned has not become one of wilful integration into the Australian way. As a young beach-going/Saturday-night-loving female, I can recount dozens of occasions where these men in their groups have spoken to me in a manner never encountered from any other male/group of males in my life. It has gotten to the point where I will not go to places in this city of ours where I know I will encounter them. Yes the incidents over the weekend were nothing more than racist outbursts of violence, but I too am at a tether as to when this behaviour is going to change.

Posted by: Maree Crouch on December 12, 2005 9:42 AM

Well think should move the people that live at Cronulla to Bankstown, and the people at Bankstown to Cronulla, then maybe they understand where you live is a part of who you are, but not the whole part, being in a community is about respect, and all I see is a bunch of idiots. Looks like Macquarie Fields all over again, the beach is for swimming and recreation, not for violence.

Posted by: Anthony on December 12, 2005 9:42 AM

The problem is not mulitculturalism but rather an attitude that has put up with racism from people of "middle eastern" appearance for too long. I personally know how much many people of Lebanese extraction hate mainstream Australians. I never could see any reason for it but we must say that it is not acceptable.

Posted by: Sydneysider on December 12, 2005 9:43 AM

What unbelievable scenes.
As a person of dark skin being born overseas and having lived in the shire for 20 years I was mortified at what I witnessed.
There has been simmering tensions in cronulla for a few years and I totally understand where the local people are coming from, but they needed to make it clear yesterday that its not the Lebanese people that they were after but the groups of thugs that loiter around the beaches and cause grief for many people. This riot is just going to further ostrisice the lebanese community.
Where do we go from here?
Some innocent person is going to die because of these riots and its not going to be in cronulla.

Posted by: Roy on December 12, 2005 9:43 AM

I AM ASHANED AND DISENCHANHTED TO BE THE AUSTRALIAN THAT I AM TODAY BY THESE PEOPLE. RASICM IS NOT THE ANSWER!

Posted by: Glenn on December 12, 2005 9:44 AM

Racism cuts both ways & its not exclusive to white 'anglo saxons'.I'm not from the shire but yesterday's events disgusted me.Bombarding police & ambulance officers with bottles & rubbish is un- Australian. So is belting up teeage Lifesavers.

Posted by: Denis on December 12, 2005 9:44 AM

Go home to England joe? That makes you just as racist as the idiots involved in yesterdays riots. Just because they are white dosen't mean that they are from English descent. It looks like both sides have a way to go to combat racism.

Posted by: steve on December 12, 2005 9:44 AM

Violence has never brought about a happy solution, its never been the complete answer. Violence just breeds more violence.

We are a happy community together, please, let's keep it that way. We are all immigrants, whether its the whites, blacks, brown, yellow, or whatever colour you maybe.

We are all here together. Live, and let live.

Posted by: Peace on December 12, 2005 9:44 AM

It is such a shame that the media have turned on the people of Cronulla. It seems so many people have forgotten that last Sunday and Wednesday outsiders bashed inoccent residants..... again. Lets remember ethnic groups travel some distance to taunt locals, but do these locals do the same in return..... NO. I am proud to see these Cronulla locals standing up for there community and saying "we will no longer stand for this"! (maybe not the best way to do it) Something has to be done, it is high time our governments step in and do more to stop this before we see the actions of Sunday happen again. I will tell you right now that last weekends events were not the end, but the start of a long war in which there will be no winner!

Posted by: Aj on December 12, 2005 9:44 AM

It is funny how the same issue is treated differently. Lebanese Muslim gangs going down to Cronulla and harassing everyone are treated as gangs only, yet put together 5000 angry residents, and now its a racist rally ? I'd say its just a lot of frustration that reached a boiling point !

Posted by: Vlad on December 12, 2005 9:45 AM

There is too much focus on the attacks by the Aussies. Sure, what they did was nothing short of disgusting and 'un-Australian'...but what about the ethnic gangs? Why aren't they brought to justice? I am of Asian background but what I learnt growing up in Australia was that I had to assimilate and mix with the Australian culture. Pick up a cricket bat or have a bbq with mates. I am living on their soil so either I blend in or shut up. These ethnic gangs have no right to impose themselves in someone elses country. The first thing we should do is kick them out of the country, then deal with the Aussie thugs later.

Posted by: Adrian on December 12, 2005 9:45 AM

Whilst I believe that something needs to be done about Middle Eastern gangs everywhere - not just the Shire - the violence yesterday was not the way to go about it. And injuring our police and ambulance officers? They lowered themselves to the guys who bashed the lifesavers. Police can only work with the powers they've been given - they're trying to protect us, let them do their job.

Posted by: Kelly on December 12, 2005 9:47 AM

The racism was initiated by the westie-gangs; over 10 years of oppression of laconic Aussies by aggressive gangs - the violence on Sunday represents all our multicultural chickens coming home to roost. The ignition point was bashing lifesavers; if people born in Oz bash lifesavers, they are obviously not integrating and multiculturalism has failed. Sunday was merely a reaction due to the lack of police & political action.

Severe and strict policing is the answer. Tolerance is bunk. Police should be feared and respected.

Posted by: marcusbondi on December 12, 2005 9:48 AM

This seems to be a battle of Australian-ness.
Who is more Australian. I am an Australian of European Irish and Scottish decent. I have children who are half Asian. I raise my son as an Australian, he is an Aussie but he was told that he wasn't an Aussie at school because he didn't look white enough. This is racism and it has to be condemned.
John Howard needs to clarify the issue of Australian ness and who deserves the right to claim themselves as Aussies in an official way. The fact is we are all migrants, the only people who can claim true ownership of this land are the Aboriginal Australians. Another thing is gangs gangs should be classed as urban terrorists, simple regardless of thier ethnicity be it anglo or euro if people want to terrorise neighbourhoods they should be treated as urban terrorists and dealt with approprately. Thats fair dinkum mate!

Posted by: James on December 12, 2005 9:49 AM

The day Australia qualified for the World Cup was probably the day I felt I truely could say "Yes, Im an Aussie and damn proud"
There were people in the streets huging each other i even saw a man of middle eastern appearence huging an anglo australian.

For me all that just went to shreds becuase a few Bogan lower class, low income frustrated Anglo Australians wanted to get maggot and scream "Out lebs" or because a few wanna be gangsters of lebenese decent belted our unsung beach heros.

On both sides there is much blame to pass around, and now i have to go to the beach in a steadfast fearful manner as a beach gang might see me as ethnic and a threat or a group of Lebenese thugs might attack me and a friend because i choose to have Anglo australians as best friends.

Posted by: dP on December 12, 2005 9:49 AM

People involved in racist attacks should be sentenced to do community service for the people they say they hate.

Posted by: kalabalik on December 12, 2005 9:49 AM

I believe yesterdays events were also fuelled by the press. It annoys me to see television presenters shaking their fingers today when last week they were almost promoting the riot that happened yesterday.

Posted by: icj on December 12, 2005 9:50 AM

Cronulla community leaders must condemn this organised act of hatred and racism. What we saw in Cronulla was very un-Australian and must be condemned. Shame on you people of the Shire.

Racism and hatred is nothing new in the Shire. It is time people of the Shire go outside the Shire and practice being Australian.

Posted by: momo on December 12, 2005 9:50 AM

would have, could have, should have, its the past now but tomorrow is yet to come and if we really do not want this to happen again, here is your chance

Posted by: A. on December 12, 2005 9:50 AM

You've done it...
You've got the beach back.
I'm an AUSTRALIAN and you've convinced me not to come down there. You've tried to stop bullies from ruining your beach, but you've just formed one big group of one yourself. Congratulations.

Posted by: Danni on December 12, 2005 9:50 AM

Well well well, the true violently racist underbelly of Australian society has revealed itself for all the world to see. Pack bashings against innocent arabic looking women, or the attack upon "true blue" lifesavers. It is all the same to our minds. You tried to fool the world with the multicultural Olympic bid, but scratch the surface and you get not a melting pot, but a boiling cauldron of water and oil - never truly mixing but fueled by a Hansonesque ignorance. Well done Australia - you have proven yourself to be an insular small-minded backwater. The photographs in today's papers tell the real Australian story. Don't bother trying to solve the problem - it has been and always will be the same.

Posted by: Peter on December 12, 2005 9:51 AM

They are our volunteers and trying to do their job, they get attacked?

Lebs are told to go back to Lebanon everytime they do something wrong, maybe you guys should be told the same and stop thinking Australia is all about you.

Maybe thats the problem, i was born here just like you, im a Lebanese/Australian defending my countries Police officers and parademics, this is UnAustralian, if you dont like it.. head back to where your ancestors came from mate.

Posted by: Joe on December 12, 2005 9:52 AM

To all the fools that thought that the Australian flag was a representation of their themselves at Cronulla, well it's not. You may as well have flown a Swastika over the shire as that was the mentality that was on demonstration yesterday. An ideology the grandparents of this country died fighting.

Posted by: John on December 12, 2005 9:54 AM

As an Australian of Lebanese background, I am appalled by the behaviour of both "sides". A bit of respect from everyone is what is required.

You have to fish out the troublemakers and punish them. These idiots are not scared of the police anymore.

I can understand white Australians not happy with some middle eastern guys behaviour because I have seen these guys myself disrespect women (including my nieces). These guys are louts and they need to be punished and that is it. It is not a Lebanese cultural thing (even though I am Christian) to do this of course. That idea is as crazy as the idiots themselves.

Posted by: Paul on December 12, 2005 9:55 AM

What a disgrace. I am 25 years old, surfer, and anglo. What makes me so proud to be Australian is our multicultural face. This kind of thing (Surfies Vs Westies) has happened throughout history and what a bloody disgrace that we have morons singing "Walt Sing Matilda" while attacking people in one's and two's (didn’t see any gang confrontation! To let this degenerate into a race issue is a disgrace to everybody in the shire.

I am also aware that the Lebanese community in Australia seems to be at odds with every ethnicity in Sydney. Lebs Vs the World an assimilated Lebanese friend once told me. Does carrying our flag and acting like a bunch of Neo Nazis achieve anything? Only for the Neo's much like fear mongering assists terrorists around the world.

If you've got the balls to take on the gangs, all the best to you, don’t lower to their petty standards.

Posted by: dan on December 12, 2005 9:55 AM

Thanks to media sensationalising, gone are the days of being known simply as an Australian. From now on we are either Lebanese-Australian, Chinese-Australian, Irish-Australian or others. Instead of boycotting the petrol bowser, we should boycott the media until they grow-up, wake-up, and get responsible about their reportings. I just want to be a simple Australian again.

Posted by: damian on December 12, 2005 9:57 AM

The media coverage has fuelled anti-Middle Eastern sentiments - every article/news item cites "people of Middle Eastern background" as the culprits of yesterday's riots, not ONCE is the phrase "WHITE AUSTRALIAN" mentioned... no, these idiots are just labelled as "Australians," true-blue drunken scum wearing board shorts and parading the flag. This merely perpetuates the "them and us" attitude, with the "White Australians" who were largely responsible but not stayed as such, being labelled "Australian," and not to blame. So there is even a racist undertone in the media.

Not ONCE have authorities appeared to be hunting the "Australians" who sent the anti-Middle Eastern text messages, the contents of which made the six o'clock news.

And thanks to the media, the time and place of 12 noon blood-bath was FREELY ADVERTISED to all in sundry.

I don't belong to either of the ethnic groups involved in the riots, but it sickens me that the media has fuelled racism.

And has anyone heard a word of condemnation from the from the little WHITE HOUSE in Canberra?

Posted by: Derek on December 12, 2005 9:57 AM

The chickens have come home to roost.

One Nation and the Howard's Liberal government treating people of other nationalities and the United Nations with utter contempt has created a climate where racism is accepted. Racist or disparaging commentary about other cultures are frequent in our media and now at backyard barbecues - far more than they were ten years ago.
Our government didn't cause this, but they created the climate that allowed it to grow.

Posted by: Alvin on December 12, 2005 9:58 AM

Given the way our Government and media are behaving, I hope this doesn't turn out to be Australia's Krystallnacht.

Courts and police need to be tougher on the perpetrators of violence, regardless of their ethnic background. Gangs of all colours need to be cracked down on, and taking the law into our own hands is a recipe for disaster. I hope everyone who participated yesterday is ashamed of themselves, but I bet they aren't. Disgusting.

Posted by: Jaheira on December 12, 2005 9:59 AM

Hey no body support the viloence.
this is shame for australians.shame to our proud as australian.

Yes, I know leb young people are violent and mananerless character, still no body can support sunday violence.

If leb are doing wrong, let the law and force handle them not by crowd.

Posted by: suresh on December 12, 2005 10:00 AM

It's been interesting reading the comments of others on this and it seems clear that a few issues are coming to the fore - The behaviour of the media in beating up the issue and giving themselves that all-important commodity, a story; the fact that the majority of the crowd were more passive and the worst of the damage was done by some very organised, very dedicated, seriously twisted and negative leaders; the fact that this sort of negative behaviour has happened before between groups of young people(albeit not on this scale and not with this sort of hysterical and incendiary coverage)
Don't blame the government for all your woes, don't blame the Prime Minister, the Premier or the police commissioner. When we talk about the need for leadership in our society, we need to recognise that the most useful leader is the one who is working away quietly in the community. These people are providing the alternative to the negative, drunken, violent leadership which gave us Sunday in Cronulla.
and who are those leaders?
All of us. If you aren't part of the solution, chances are you are part of the problem.

Posted by: sbryant on December 12, 2005 10:00 AM

These thugs on both sides of the battle lines don't have a sense of leadership, that is probably why they are doing what they're doing. They're trying to prove to themselves a place in modern Australian society.

With the multiculturalism policies we are all looking for a sense of identity, the Aboriginal Australians lost theirs when the English arrived, then there was the post war era when the other Europeans arrived and now the European white Anglos are losing theirs with the arrival of immigrants from the middle east.

On top of all that you have gangs of disenchanted Lebanese Australians terrorising law abiding citizens and families from the Central coast down to Wollongong. Until these gangs are stopped with their anti-social behaviour then the current issues will continue to fester.

Posted by: Tim on December 12, 2005 10:03 AM

Its time to address why anglo Australians feel disenfranchised. This great country has lost its way - law makers and academics living in their ivory castle get a shock when this type of thing happens. Wake up until you address this issue it will keep happening and maybe something worst than Hanson will rise.

Posted by: Stephen on December 12, 2005 10:04 AM

Yesterdays actions taken by "Australians", was an absoulate disgrace. I aggreed and supported the gathering of the locals, and others, that wanted to combat against these middle easteners who continuely claim ownership to this great country. But i was soon turned to dismay, when i witnessed police officers, ambo's, being pelted with bottles and other objects. It made us no better than what they were combating against. Idiots. Bashing random people who looked ethnic. Pelting police and ambos. Thanks guys. You made Australians look like absoulate idiots. Good work.

Posted by: Chris Bradley on December 12, 2005 10:05 AM

As a focal leader of Australia, I would like to see John Howard show his leadership and express that the behaviour shown on the weekend is un-Australian (at least it is not the Australia that I know), as is any gang violence.

I also hope that anyone that dicriminates by race, can soon see that people are more than their racial background.

Posted by: Jane on December 12, 2005 10:06 AM

We need to be clear. Yesterday is the result of over a decade of tensions in the Eastern and South Eastern beaches. Take out the race issue and the question is whether locals can tolerate people from outside of their community treating their community as if it did not matter, as if it was irrelevant, as if it was merely instrumental in their own good times and treating locals with contempt. This has been going on for years from Bondi right through to Cronulla. That’s one problem.

The second problem is this, over the last decade or so things have hardened along ethnic lines and nothing has been done about it - it is too difficult and no one really seems to know what to do. We might say education is the answer and it might well be. But education needs to engage both sides; the racism is certainly coming from both sides and no one can deny this. Now education about the wonders of a multicultural, multiracial, multiethnic society has to go forward without threatening the ethnic identity of either group, because if such education undermines ethnicity then we make a mockery of multiculturalism, we revert back to the old days when integration and cultural uniformity was seen as the key. My father was a product of the old days, he and his family integrated. What was the product, the second generation (myself included) have very little understanding of their heritage but with a strong sense of their difference from the ‘host’ community. The ultimate outcome is a feeling of alienation and a lack of identity that led me into gang violence and drugs. How do I feel about yesterday – it’s the inevitable result of ignoring a great problem in multiculturalism, if we go the integration rout you end up with people like me, if you go the cultural diversity rout you end up with cultural misunderstandings, cultural tensions, divisions within the community that harden along ethnic lines and ultimately Sunday December 11. But all we hear from media and politicians is name calling and othering of people, that is human beings, on both sides. Well the racist drunken thugs are a product of our culture as are the ‘ethnic gangs’ they want to battle with. Stop the finger pointing and start the soul searching Australia!

Posted by: Phil on December 12, 2005 10:06 AM

Now Australia is known world-wide as drunken racist!
I´m not in Oz at the moment I´ve just seen the images on TV. Sad and appalling.

Posted by: Cris on December 12, 2005 10:06 AM

Quote
"Liberal MP for Cronulla, Malcolm Kerr, said the people of Cronulla were tired of being intimidated by gangs with Middle Eastern backgrounds. The reaction in Cronulla was the result of community anger over the lack of response from authorities and had got out of control as the crowd was fuelled by alcohol."

i was there yesterday, not to 'bash lebs' but to support a peaceful protest. as soon as it started becomming violent, i was out of there. from what i saw and have been told, mainly the violence was the result of ringleaders, and as everyone knows - no one can look away from a fight. so mainly its groups of ppl watching drunken ringleaders psyching themselves and others into a frenzy.

Clearly the media has a LOT to answer for, but what about Iemma? i watched him dodge questions such as 'what solution do you propose?'... his answer 'a plan of action is set in train'. GREAT thanks for that.. we'll get on it!

More police, more tolerance, and less political bullcrap thanks.

Posted by: JB on December 12, 2005 10:06 AM

Im an aussie Cronulla homeowner and this morning I am totally ashamed of the thugs I aparrently share a communicty with. This should of been about behaviour not race. As an australian woman I can tell you on my afternoon walks by the beach, I have been subjected to as much absuse and crude harressment by 'aussie' surfers as those lebanese turning up in their cars. I support the notion that if you move to australia, adapt our way of life and respect our culture or nick off - but this was not the way to go about it. Its nice to know that I pay some of the highest rates in Sydney and have worked my arse buy a little modest house in cronulla only to share it with a bunch of thugs. White trash Jerry Springer by the beach. Fabulous.

Posted by: Kylie on December 12, 2005 10:08 AM

Well? what did you expect? I wholeheartedly disagree with Sundays violence but I can understand the Cronulla locals frustration. Im a proud Aussie of Italian descent and have been on the recieving end of these Muslim young idiot gangs violence and for no reason on more than one occasion. If I was a fighter, I would've done the same but Im not, Im peaceful and so it seems I just have to put up with being harrassed or my girlfriend being harrassed at the beach (she is Lebanese and embarrassed of it, how ridiculous). I blame the parents, I blame the community and I blame their religious leaders. They claim Islam is a religion of peace? how arrogant! teach your members to respect others, not to be uneducated fools... Australia is a forward thinking country and migrants have flourished here for decades including my parents. We have fought racism for decades as well and all was well (or nearing that stage) but you, my Bankstown friends, have undone at least 30 years of work. Give the police the power they need to exterminate these gangs and give Australia back the safe, happy environment I grew up in.

Posted by: saddned on December 12, 2005 10:08 AM

In a society where aboriginees are today still prevented access to many clubs etc, and were hunted as sport by the ancestors of todays rioting yobs, what do you expect from the yobs - they're only contining a glorious aussie tradition.

Posted by: Sam on December 12, 2005 10:10 AM

I IN NO WAY condone the behaviour of the australian thugs on the weekend - i am disgusted to call myself australian after their actions. And shame on the media for the free advertising and invitations that they offered for the event.

BUT i do wonder about one thing. Could anyone (preferably those that chare these views) explain to me why a small minority (presumably) of Lebanese youths have this "us and them" view? Someone on this forum described it as "lebs vs the world". I simply do not understand.

Posted by: andy on December 12, 2005 10:10 AM

Anglo attacks Middle Eastern = Racist

Middle Eastern attacks Anglo = Must be Anglos fault as he is a Racist

Posted by: Nick on December 12, 2005 10:10 AM

Racism is fuelled by nationalism and patriotism. Of course our leaders won't admit this, because they need to use patriotic arguments to strengthen their positions of power. That's why they are not falling over themselves to comment.
The day we stop glorifying the imagined uniqueness of being "Australian" will be the day that we start reducing racism. A good place to start would be to seek treatment for our obsession with sport...

Posted by: Alex on December 12, 2005 10:11 AM

As a half Australian (aussie born, but English father), I'm in two minds what to think about the bashings.

People thinking that action like this will solve something, are clearly delusional.

HOWEVER its a chain effect, if our courts handed down longer sentences, people of all races would be less likely to commit a criminal offence. Short/useless sentences mean they are more likely to recommit/commit a more serious offence.

And so it all stems from there. Harsher sentences will make people think more before they act.

These attacks have been a long time coming, from people who are fed up with how things are going, and the refusal of some racial backgrounds to integrate into the "Australian way of life".

I think Ralph Waldo Emerson (US philosopher and poet,1803-1882) said it best when he quoted "WE BOIL AT DIFFERENT DEGREES".

To all the thugs, use your head not your fists.

I have a brother who looks lebanese (he's aussie), and his wife is lebanese... Have they done anything wrong? NO .. would you bash your neighbour? would you bash your friends? would you bash a family member?

Then why bash someone elses.

Posted by: Anonymous on December 12, 2005 10:12 AM

Gather a group of young males together and the total IQ is less than a single individual. Add alcohol and the group, gang, mob is even dumber and aggressive. It doesn't matter what ethnicity the group is. Some ethnicities like to travel in groups, but the anglo-saxons yobbos showed they can mix it with the worst of them yesterday.

Posted by: allrite on December 12, 2005 10:13 AM

I am of lebanese extraction, and recently went on holidays to lebanon. While I was there I painted a picture for my newly acquainted relations of a nation of law and order where hord work and ingenuity was rewarded and valued. Where people of many nations lived in harmony, and Aussies rejoiced and we proclaimed ourselves the lucky country.

I now find myself reflecting on the horror that was 11/12/05. I nolonger feel the Aussie pride I felt back in lebanon, Just as I did not feel any Leb pride when I heard about the bashing of those lifesavers. I know that those lifesavers would put their lives on the line to save one of my family members in they were in danger.

What we need is stern level headed leadership that pulls no punches, calls a spade a spade, and cracks down on thugs no matter what the background. Zero tolerance for intolerance before all is lost.

Posted by: Wazza on December 12, 2005 10:14 AM

Those who participated in Cronulla yesterday should be ashamed of themselves. Community solidarity is fine, but community riots against Lebanese people just because some of their gangsters have recently been a little rowdy is abhorrent. Attacking policemen and paramedics is also abhorrent. As for singing "Waltzing Matilda", the idiotic rioters have identified themselves with a suicidal sheep-thief.

Strict policing and strict laws is the best way. Educating people on multiculturalism et al. in schools is a start, but some rednecks won't understand. Arrest all who incite racial hatred, throw them in jail and let them rot until they see the error of their ways.

Posted by: Matt Kwan on December 12, 2005 10:15 AM

I think the whole concept of multi-cultrualism has been proven ineffective. In a perfect world we would all like to co-exist in peace. However, you only have to look at the violence in their country of origin to determine where it comes from. I personally don't agree with violence, but I think it's about time the government realised that these people from middle eastern backgrounds are violent whether they are born here or not, it seems to be inherent. I personally am fed up with pandering to minority groups in this country so as to appear politically correct. This is a christian country and we can even say Merry Christmas. What are we becoming. We let these people get away with murder, they use us, they don't assimilate and call us racist, how dare they.

Posted by: samantha on December 12, 2005 10:18 AM

everyone is saying the media is largely to blame for all this - and i agree.

so who does the media answer to? everyone can say that all they like, but unfortunately they are all laughing - what a newsworthy story! this should sell papers! where are the consequences?

Posted by: ret on December 12, 2005 10:19 AM

Australia – a multicultural country filled with respect for the various cultures and religions of the world. This statement has been accurate for a while now, but came to an abrupt halt with the Cronulla incident. As I watched the news on Sunday I sat shocked to see what I was witnessing. More than five thousand “Aussies” had gathered to brawl with the “Lebs and wogs” with chants of “Get out Lebs”.
I was born in Australia and consider myself an “Aussie”. I have lived here my entire life and do things that normal typical teens do: hang out with my friends and go to the beach and go shopping. Two of my best friends are Australian and we get along fine. Why can’t the rest of Australia do that?
Just because a few people have one wrong train of thought does not mean the ENTIRE community does. Australians and Lebanese Muslims alike are now scared to go out and enjoy themselves for fear of being attacked and verbally abused.
What has this world come to? Where once everyone got along fine and Australia was indeed the land where everyone was accepted for who they are? We need to sort out all these problems before this escalates severely.
We have to stick together; Australia should remain united not divided. It is not our similarities but our differences that makes Australia such a great place to live in.

Posted by: Sarah Hamdan on December 12, 2005 10:19 AM

Yesterday the crowd that claimed they were'protecting' the shire left a trail of garbage and glass from the beach to the train station.
This clearly shows me how much they respect the beach and the area and how much it means to them.

Posted by: Jes on December 12, 2005 10:19 AM

Cronulla for now. Soon it will be Terrigal, similar groups, offending locals and a police station closed down by the state labour government. Add Howard's government's policy of divide and scaremonger is it any wonder.

Posted by: ck on December 12, 2005 10:21 AM

It's this short term gratification society with right-wing conserative idealogues that are allowed to fester.

Of course these times are two stupid to understand the mentality of arab youths and the factors (mainly racism, ignorance and segeration) that cause them to exhibant the offensive behaviour that is apparently what is being protested.

Ironically it is the arabs that have the means and ablitiy not to take this racism lying down (and thus their offensive behaviour).

Nearly every single post in this comment section repudiates racism yet goes on to say "but".... - wherein the poster goes on to justify that it was alright for mob violence.

A nation of ignorant Johhny's, Philips, Tonys and Alex's have been caused this. However count on that
Sydney will be in flames before the end of the year because of this stupidity.

Posted by: Peter on December 12, 2005 10:22 AM

John Howard has got what he wants, that is, racial tension. A great diversionary tactic it is. The media as well are only too ready to fan the flames of discontent.

Posted by: Edward on December 12, 2005 10:29 AM

Yesterdays displays of hatred sicken me. As Mahatma Gandhi said “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind”.

Posted by: Jen on December 12, 2005 10:29 AM

This was one of the most disgraceful incidents in Australian history. These images in Cronulla have been seen before, in 1930's Nazi Germany and in the US southern states in the 50's and 60's. These vermin were nothing more than a lynch mob intent on murder and they are the result of John Howard's devisive rule. These attitudes gained federal government approval starting with the 'Children Overboard' lie and have steadily gained momentum fueled by xenophobic speeches and remarks from Federal ministers through to radio 'shock jocks'. I only pray that the state government takes true leadership in this instance and introduces measures such as rubber bullets and tear gas to force these scum back into the gutter where they belong.

Posted by: Richard Hardwick on December 12, 2005 10:30 AM

SHAME, SHAME, SHAME !!!
Sunday was the begining of something new!!
the day an Australian bashed another Australian, regardless of their appearance or ancestry.

And these thugs expect immigrants to assimilate .... how can you expect a person to assimilate if you are going to bash innocent people on a family day out to the beach.

Australia in my mind is not losing its core values.... I am affraid it has ALREADY lost it !!!!

SHAME !!!!!

Posted by: Jason on December 12, 2005 10:30 AM

samantha, love, you are right, we can't live in peace when there are ignorant people such as you around. people from the middle east are not all born violent, it is not an inherited state of mind, and as a human being i am offended by that very thought. violence and anger knows no bounds and it is not limited to one particular race or creed. yesterday's events at cronulla should have proven that to you, IGNORAMUS.
how about you make some friends with anyone of a "middle eastern background" and see how other aussies, other humans, live.

Posted by: aussie leb on December 12, 2005 10:44 AM

I keep hearing that Australia is a multicultural country which has respect for differing cultures and religions.

But I have never believed that or have seen that.

Sydney is a city divided. There are strong regional lines with differing areas known to hold differing demographics (i.e. immigrants, working class). And as soon as a minority starts to become more populous in a different area, you hear the complaints, the taunts, and now it has come to riots and beatings.

Individually, many people are disgusted with what has/is occuring. However together (as a nation) we have ignored the increasing racial tensions/views for many years.

Posted by: tom on December 12, 2005 10:45 AM

All very well for the educated to propose discussion and tolerance - coming from NZ - and witness first hand many acts of thugery - it is clear that the only things these people understand and respect is violence. Look at what goes on in thier own homes. A good bashing will make them (gnags) rethink thier behaviour - since when did two nights in a cell mean anything to a career criminal. Stop the PC and join the reality police

Posted by: Ben on December 12, 2005 10:45 AM

The media has a hell of a lot to do with this incident. They basically advertised the fact that the riot would occur, which only added fuel to the fire and invited those who would have been otherwise unaware of the tensions.

Posted by: Bec on December 12, 2005 10:46 AM

My colouring and ethnicity could be mistaken for any number of countries including Middle Eastern... and yesterday - for the first time in 18 years, I was afraid to go to Cronulla for a swim... The violence that occurred in Cronulla, Maroubra and Brighton is both frightening and appalling... what has happened to tolerance, peace and love? Haven't we learned from thousands of years of war that violence begets violence? Australians are a mix of cultures - is he or she Christian, Buddhist, Hindu or Muslim...? Are they Greek, Middle Eastern, Indian or Italian - how do you know... and can you really be sure? And suddenly, the question arises - in light of yesterday's riots... does it really matter? Are we trying to protect the Australian way of life - where everyone receives a 'Fair Go' - or are we trying to recreate a 'White Australia' based on prejudice, narrow mindedness and intolerance? I love this country - I love the fact that we are such a wonderful mix of cultures... but I am disappointed at what occurred yesterday. I leave you with this: We are one, but we are many, and from all the lands on earth we come... We share a dream, and sing with one voice - I am, You are, We are Australian.

Posted by: My Shire on December 12, 2005 10:46 AM

We were beating each other with sticks 2 million years ago people. It's time to EVOLVE!!!

Posted by: Gus on December 12, 2005 10:46 AM

amazed by the number of people posting here who are trying to somehow pin the blame on John Howard for the events at Cronulla and Maroubra.

the mob violence at Cronulla was a disgrace BUT it came about IN REACTION to the behavior of the Lebanese gangs over recent years. If THEY had been jumped on long ago by police and political leaders, it would never have gotten to this stage.

Same with the Pauline Hanson furore. If either or both sides of politics had addressed the concerns of normal people, instead of ignoring them, there would have been a void which Hanson filled.

Posted by: rve on December 12, 2005 10:47 AM

What happened in coastal sydney yesterday sickened me to the core. As a born and bred Australian woman married to an honest hardworking Jordanian/Australian man, I can't help but be accutely fearful of the threat this places my family under. I dread to think what will happen next and would predict that if it’s not stopped NOW it has the makings of something along the lines of the LA riots that happened years ago. But I have to say I blame the media in part for the scale of what happened over the weekend. I know the problem goes a lot deeper than that, but look at all the free air time and advertising the ‘event’ got in the build up over the last week. The first I heard of anything was a week ago when those surf life savers were bashed. The media coverage should have ended there. I mean if it weren’t for the media, how many people would have known about what was going to take place this weekend. It would have just been a few text messages out to people and may have been somewhat contained. But the coverage on the radio and tv basically ensured a good turnout because then everyone knew about it who didn’t receive a text message. There was reportedly a strong ‘neo nazi’ and ‘white supremacist’ presence which is even more worrying. And I say again, those groups wouldn’t have known on the strength of a few text messages what was going down without the media advertising it in the lead up. Shame on the media for adding fuel to the fire, when is someone going to shut them up when prudent to do so!

These people have brought with them bits of their culture we actually enjoy. It is inevitable that there are a few troublemakers. Don't let everyone suffer indignation at the hands of this minority of thugs.

Deep down we love this country but we all need to belong. The media can help by stopping from classifying people with terms like Middle Eastern. I wouldn't be surprised if all of those involved in Cronulla were born in this mighty nation.

Posted by: Johno on December 12, 2005 10:48 AM

Racism stems from xenophobia. Those who group with people of their own perceived race fear the other congregations of different races.

The Lebanese-Australian groups who don't see themselves as Australian are just like the congregations of white Shire youths as both fear anyone who does not look like them.

Australians are all from different cultures and this has greatly diversified Australian culture. Despite the recent atrocities, many Australians see that and have learnt to tolerate everyone around them of different descendency and skin colour. This is because they have grown up alongside the other races and hence do not fear them.

Unfortunately, the atrocities yesterday prove that xenophobia and racism is still prevalent in parts of Australia. The groups of Lebanese immigrants harbour hate for others as they have never been accepted by them. The youths at Cronulla yesterday felt they had to defend their territory against a group of people perceived to be from an entirely different culture. The truth was that they were defending Australia from other Australians.

To combat racism, we need to promote all communities in Australia to mix starting at an early age. When they see that there is nothing to fear, there will be nothing to hate.

Posted by: Dotto on December 12, 2005 10:52 AM

Just over 10 days ago, all of Australia seemed united when Van Nguyen went to the gallows, now to see this fiasco seems the earlier sentiments were largely misplaced. C'mon Australia, wake up to this shame!

Posted by: teoh on December 12, 2005 10:53 AM

As the government has sen to hide behind the Australian flag to harm others through its policies regarding IR, education, detention centers, preemptive strikes and oppressive sedition laws, now the community it leads is hiding behind the Australian flag to harm to others. Funny that.

But which came first, the chicken or the egg? I am starting to think that the average Australian is a racist, selfish individual, who cannot see past the most simple rhetoric. I was born in Australia, lived here for 30 years and now can't wait for an opportunity to leave with my family, in the hope of finding somewhere with a little more intelligence and altruism.

At least now there can be no pretence of a "cultural melting pot". By the way, do you think our chances of a terrorist strike in this country by "home-grown" bombers just went up or down?

Posted by: RJK on December 12, 2005 10:53 AM

This is not a racist issue, its a behavioural issue. I live in Cronulla and have tolerated many acts of disregard and this is basically a knee-jerk reaction to a long simmering issue.

The reason this is occuring is because of a lack of attention from the law.

Posted by: Scott B on December 12, 2005 10:55 AM

Regarding the incidents at Cronulla it is highly embarrassing for people who live in the Shire to be tarnished with the brush that they are 'racists'. A lot of the people that were involved in the fights had come from out of the area as the media had highlighted the messages going around and brought more attention to the 'fight' that was going to be on. The majority of people down there seemed to be 15-25 year old males which is not the normal statistic for a Sunday - it is usually a family day where everyone feels safe.

Maybe it would have been a good idea if the Council had organised a fundraising day for the surf lifesaving clubs on Cronulla beaches in response to the attacks that happened last weekend. That way, people who wanted to peacefully protest their disgust at the attacks could have supported those that had been hurt and who do a good job patrolling our beaches.

It was a disgusting act of violence the previous weekend and yesterday's incident did nothing to help those had been hurt. It was a stupid way of protesting the 'gangs' that have been appearing in Cronulla over the last few years. Unfortunately, it does not look like stopping anytime soon. My thoughts are with the Police and Ambulance officers who have to try and control this mob.

Posted by: Murray on December 12, 2005 10:56 AM

Violence should never be tolerated. And despite the earlier alleged incident of violence to beach lifeguards, it does not condone violence to other people based on their appearance or background, especially those who are innocent, law-abiding citizens. Target those who perpetrated the crime, not the innocent.

The way those victims were targeted yesterday was racism.

Education and leadership would have prevented this. These thugs had no leadership except each other, their alcohol and their text messages. Iemma's blank face on TV this morning says it all.

Posted by: Will on December 12, 2005 10:57 AM

Just because the ABC, the universities, various 'commissioners' and 'friendship societies' proclaim that Australia is a multicultural tolerant utopia, does NOT neccesarily make it so.

Cruel reality has intruded on the impossible dream....

Posted by: rve on December 12, 2005 10:57 AM

Why is are people so quick to blame the government for everything that goes wrong here? Respect for this nation and each other starts at home within our own families. If these young men have no respect for our way of life its because they learnt that behaviour at home. It seems that when violence and ill mannered behaviour is displayed people cry racism if they are repremanded for it. We have been complacent for far too long allowing brutish anti-social behaviour to continue so the events of sunday should not surprise anyone.

caroline - Bellevue Hill

Posted by: caroline on December 12, 2005 10:57 AM

Why did we always label the mobs into racial groups? It was purely thugs against thugs.

We should have had very tough law enforcement against those thugs.

Posted by: justice4 everyone on December 12, 2005 10:57 AM

Australia has always been known as a multicultural country.

My parents, along with many others came to Australia to escape a war torn Lebanon in the mid 1970s in hope of creating a home and a future in Australia.

I along with my five siblings were all born and raised here. This is our home. We attended Catholic private schools, we hold professional jobs, we work hard, pay our taxes, and support Aussie sports, like most Australians.

But for as long as I can remember, we have always been known as 'wogs'. I believe that children growing up do not know the difference between races, and that these comments, and this racism all stems back to the family home. It is up to the adults/parents of our children to educate.

We are all one. I am by no means defending the incidents of late. I think it is a disgrace to us as a nation and a disgrace to those who carry Lebanese blood.

Posted by: Sam on December 12, 2005 11:00 AM

It is sad, but true.
I have said this many times to my friends of multi-background, that beneath the so-called multi-cultural country or society, Australia is still very much a "whiteman's" world. Now it has "SURFACE". So today, it is the "Lebs"; tomorrow what's gonna to be, "Viets", Japs","Chings" or in general, Asians?

Posted by: SS on December 12, 2005 11:02 AM

The cowards caught on camera beating innocent isolated individuals at Cronulla on sunday should be treated exactly like the police treated the rioters in Macquarie Fields. Every one of them should be identified, investigated and charged. We need to make sure that the law is applied evenly to all.

Posted by: Andrew on December 12, 2005 11:06 AM

As an Australian working in the Middle East, I am embarrassed and appalled by these cowards, projecting their thuggery under the banner of 'Australianism'.

To add insult to injury( no pun intended) it is nearly Christmas...the season of peace and good will to ALL!!

I do acknowledge that there are issues that have been welling up for a while and that all forms of racism needs to be addressed and abolished.

I only hope that the same mob mentalitiy does not erupt here, and people of 'western' origin,are not attacked.

Posted by: fionna on December 12, 2005 11:06 AM

This could have been a watershed for Australian society - a community united to protect the universal right to peaceful enjoyment of everything this country has to offer. They had the numbers to overwhelm and peacefully subdue any individual - be they black, white or brindle - who did not share these ideals. What it became was an disgrace where a rabble formed into gangs in an attempt to feel powerful where, as individuals, they amount to less than nothing. Race was simply a convenient way to decide which gang to join.

On the subject of racism: do not delude yourself that racism is exclusive to caucasians. It is endemic in all races. Who amongst us can honestly say to themselves that they do not harbour racist thoughts? If you had a happy and stable childhood, aren't you more favourably disposed towards people who remind you of your parents? The tolerant amongst us are those who can push these thoughts aside and look beyond appearance to try and understand the individual within. The lazy and ignorant take the person at face value, because it is a far easier way to assess a person's worth and avoids the need to actually get to know them.

Posted by: Dave Campbell on December 12, 2005 11:07 AM

A solution can only come by offering the most support possible for moderate people, and not marginalising entire communities or areas.

Support the moderate people in our communities who abhore violence.

Do not follow the media down the path of vilifying the Lebanese community one day, and the Sutherland Shire community the next.

Save your derision for those who commit violent acts.

Posted by: Ian on December 12, 2005 11:07 AM

The behaviour shown yesterday is disgusting! Its not about racism - its about respect - respect your fellow Australians. Just because someone looks like they may be from a middle eastern background, doesn't mean they arn't Australian. I have been intimiated at the beach by white 'Australians', but I guess people find it easier to blame others rather than look at their own behaviour ... what a shame people don't realise that difference is good and keeps the world interesting!

Posted by: Jenny on December 12, 2005 11:08 AM

Perfect timing to utilise the recently passed Anti-Terrorism Bill on this filthy mob! Lock up those who breached the Sedition Laws when they were encouraging violence with their SMS. Time to get tough on both the Leb gangs & the Shire rednecks! SHAME SHAME SHAME!

Posted by: Eric on December 12, 2005 11:08 AM

Oh for heavens sake... "un-Australian"??? Unfortunately this all seems very Australian these days. Let's remove "un-Australian" from the vocabulary once and for all. Criminals... all of them, whether they identify themselves as Lebanese, Australian or from the "Shire".

Posted by: Robin on December 12, 2005 11:09 AM

How do you explain to a child that the only reason those people were bashed on the weekend was because they did/did not look a certain way?

What a disgrace! I am appalled and disappointed by the behaviour of some people.

So much for being a developed nation.

Posted by: Rhonda on December 12, 2005 11:09 AM

This all began with volunteer lifesavers been attacked by middle eastern Men.
Yesterday at Cronulla PARAMEDICS and POLICE OFFICERS beening attacked was acceptable was it ? Alittle Hyprocritical dont you think?

They Claim they were protecting the beach....Since when does a beach in Australia belong to anyone. Im Australian with a Lebanesse Decendancy....What was seen yesterday was disgusting and shameful to the Australian way of Life.

Now if the ' Middle Eastern thugs ' had come out and protested in such a number( like Cronualla and acted the way they were acting)...How many do you think would have been arrested ? Only 6..Ill leave the rest for you to decide...

Posted by: disclosed on December 12, 2005 11:10 AM

Go home wogs… Are you serious?? These so called aussies need to be reminded where they originally came from.. England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales… Your wogs too! The only difference is you were the first fleet of wogs, lets ask the Aboriginals what they think of the white man??

Posted by: Jimbo Tucker on December 12, 2005 11:10 AM

You people are MISSING the point about the root cause of this - it should not be racism or multiculturalism. The problem should not even revolved around race or ethnicity.

it is actually LAW and ORDER enforcement in australia. we people of asian extraction noticed how lax law and order is in australia. Your education system and criminal justice system encourages such elements to exists in society.

What happen at Cronulla is just a culmination of such SOFTLY SOFTLY APPROACH. That's why you have so many cases of ram-raiding, crowd trouble at RL stadiums, grafitties, burning-of-schools, vandalism -- it is a way of life in australia.

When a drug trafficker(s) is caught - there is so much outpouring of grief and sympathy. . . but parents - do you know where your child was last night? no?

Australia - one way to go. Down.

Posted by: El Tel on December 12, 2005 11:10 AM

Animosity on the beaches of sydney is nothing new and please don't think it's a shire issue only.
I live on the the northern beaches and remember a ranges of battles/fights over the years, including northern beaches vs southerners, clubbies (lifesavers) vs surfies, westies vs surfies, wogs vs surfies, skinheads vs surfies, rockers vs surfies and so on... so nothing really new here.
Don't believe that this is a racism issue only, it's only part of the issue
Another issue is many locals believe the beach is theirs and forget it's public property.

Posted by: Emma on December 12, 2005 11:10 AM

As an Australian-born man with an Austrian father, people have asked me in the past how I feel about the shame in my blood.
I tell them it's not so much a feeling of shame, since I was born some 33 years after WWII ended, and half a world away.
What I do feel is a strong sense of awareness of the factors which can lead massive groups to act like animals, as happened in Europe in the 30s and 40s, and as happened at Cronulla yesterday.
The sight of Australians waving flags and singing the national anthem in response to a far smaller crime than the one they were about to commit made my stomach turn. Patriotism had made the horrible leap towards nationalism, Nazi-ism.

In my mind it was not a case of Australians versus Lebanese - merely idiots versus idiots, shamefully marching under banners that in no way represent the interests of such low-lifes, as all the decent Australians and Lebanese looked on, united in horror. We've learnt from America that you can't deal with a scattered, criminal few with a large-scale war, yet we saw a scale model of the American/Arab conflict occur right here in our own backyard.

I spent the entire day at Maroubra beach yesterday and saw a peaceful place packed with kids, Xmas BBQers, beach soccer players and surfers. I left an hour before the proverbial hit the fan and all I've been able to think about is that if that was the atmosphere ruined by Lebanese gangs in Maroubra, then the same thing was ruined earlier in the day at Cronulla by Australians. Both sides of this stupid fight have committed crimes against Australia, our way of life and our innocent Sunday in the sun.

Neither side is helping anything.

Posted by: Karl Mayerhofer on December 12, 2005 11:10 AM

I just want to uplift and applaude the courage of all the police offices,ambulance offices & other emergency team members who had to work yesterday in that sea of hatred,thankyou for every person you protected.